Obama picks Armenian issues supporter as next Secretary of State

December 22, 2012 - 11:39 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama nominated long-time Armenian American issues supporter, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), as his next Secretary of State, with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) widely considered to take his place as the next Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We welcome President Obama's nomination of Senator Kerry - a legislator with a three decade-long record of support for Armenia and a legacy of advocacy for the foreign policy priorities of Armenian Americans - as our nation's next Secretary of State," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to continuing to work constructively with Senator Kerry, now in his new role at the Department of State, as we seek to lift Turkey's gag-rule on American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, strengthen U.S.-Armenia ties, and put in place freedom-based solutions that provide security to the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh."

Senator Kerry was first elected to the Senate in 1984. He succeeded now-Vice President Joe Biden as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2009. Over the years, Senator Kerry has been a strong advocate for Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, cosponsoring many resolutions to end U.S. complicity in Turkey's denial of this still unpunished crime. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, he pressed ambassadorial nominee to Turkey, Francis Ricciardone about U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide, Turkey's blockade of Armenia, and the pending Turkey-Armenia Protocols. He is not currently a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

In the early 1990s, Senator Kerry was a vocal leader in support of Senate adoption of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which restricted U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until it lifted its blockades and stopped its aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Earlier this year, Chairman Kerry was "shocked and appalled" at Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s pardon, praise and promotion of convicted Azerbaijani axe-murderer Ramil Safarov. “This needlessly provocative act endangers the fragile peace between these countries and damages the government of Azerbaijan's credibility,” noted Senator Kerry.

The ANCA had endorsed Senator Kerry in his bid for the presidency in 2004 against Republican incumbent President George W. Bush.

Senator Kerry will likely be succeeded by Senator Robert Menendez as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Menendez has been an outspoken advocate for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide since his years in the House of Representatives. He is the lead sponsor for the Senate Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.399) introduced earlier this year. Senator Menendez was joined by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in blocking the nomination of Dick Hoagland, President George W. Bush's nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, after Hoagland denied the Armenian Genocide during his Senate confirmation process. Later, Senators Menendez and Boxer successfully opposed the nomination of U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza, expressing concerns about his serious shortcomings in his track record as a senior diplomat dealing with the Caucasus.

Other changes in the Senate Committee leadership include Senator Barbara Mikulski’s selection to serve as Chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, taking over the position from Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, who passed away earlier this week.